ALLAN THE MAN

FINALLY getting the players it desired, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is out to seek the next best thing to do – bid to stage one of the three Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQT) here in 2016.

Meralco board of governor Al Panlilio said the country’s governing body for basketball will discuss the possibility of hosting one of the qualifiers now that the PBA board has acceded to the SBP’s request to make the best talent available for the Gilas Pilipinas pool.

The PBA on Wednesday agreed to make changes to its calendar to accommodate the Philippine national men’s basketball team in its quest to bring the country back to Olympics.

The league announced that its season-ending conference, the Governors’ Cup, will be moved after the conclusion of the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament that is slated from July 5 to July 11 next year.

De La Salle University (DLSU) turned back University of the East (UE), 72-64, in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament to claim solo third at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

Chis Javier and the Red Warriors were coming off a 52-47 win over defending champions National University (NU) Bulldogs over the weekend before clashing with the Green Archers.

The PBA on Wednesday announced the 17-player pool of the Philippine national men’s basketball team for its campaign in the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year as the league reiterated its “full support” to Gilas Pilipinas.

Part of the list are reigning back-to-back MVP June Mar Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter of San Miguel Beer; Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel; Paul Lee, Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine;

If the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) can ensure its full support, then the new Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) leadership may send a Philippine team to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year.

Outgoing SBP president Manny Pangilinan admitted that they have been reluctant to send an undermanned squad to compete in the Olympic qualifier next year, especially after the PBA failed to provide all the players the national squad needed during the recent FIBA Asia Championship.

“Hindi ko naman sinasabing 'no' pero let’s be realistic,” said Pangilinan in Reuben Terreado’s report in SPIN.

The Philippines continued to move up in the FIBA's world basketball rankings after the silver medal finish of Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Championship.

From 31st, the Philippines improved three spots to 28th place in the world rankings. The country also improved its standing in Asia, trailing just China (14th) and Iran (17th) and surging ahead of Jordan (29th) and South Korea (30th).

China and Iran have combined to win the last nine Asian championships dating back to 1999.

Watch  the Top 10 Plays for the recently concluded 2015 FIBA Asia Championship. Here they are, the 10 most spectacular plays of the Asia Championships 2015, featuring Andray Blatche (Philippines), Qi Zhou (China), Jasmon Youngblood (Lebanon), Hamed Ehadadi (Iran), Chih Chieh Lin (Chinese Taipei), Terrence Romeo (Philippines), Jianlian Yi (China) and Matthew Ganuelas (Philippines).

Three out of Top Ten plays came from Gilas Pilipinas National team.